By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews 

On Friday, the Government of Slovenia officially declared to end to the COVID-19 epidemic in the country.

The SARS-CoV-2 Infectious Disease Epidemic (COVID-19) was declared in Slovenia on March 12. Since the first case was recorded on March 4, 1,465 cases have been confirmed, including 103 deaths.

The National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) has estimated that all indicators point to a slowdown in the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the population.

However, as there is still a risk of the spread of COVID-19, general and specific measures adopted on the basis of the Decision on the application of the measures provided for in the Infectious Diseases Act to the COVID-19 epidemic, and otherwise by 31 May 2020. After that date, the Ministry of Health will decide on possible measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus on the basis of the epidemiological situation at home and abroad.

The NIJZ estimates that the cumulative 14-day incidence is 35 cases and the effective reproductive number is currently <1. The current epidemiological situation therefore makes it possible to release the measures that were necessary to contain and control the infectious disease COVID-19, but not to eliminate them completely.

In its assessment, the NIJZ points out that measures aimed at limiting the spread of infection include testing of patients, isolation of patients, search for contacts, quarantine for high-risk close contacts, hand hygiene and coughing, and respect for physical distance. Above all, the participation and responsible behavior of the population in taking measures and taking care of their own health and the health of the community have made it possible to limit the spread of the disease. At the same time, he points out that targeted health education and counseling are also needed in the future as a measure for the prevention and control of infectious diseases.